A short summary of funding opportunities that have came to our attention this week.
UK Government Grassroots Sports Grants
The UK Government has announced a £100 million investment aimed at upgrading local grassroots sports facilities across the nation. This initiative seeks to enhance community access to sports and physical activities, particularly in deprived areas, and to increase participation among under-represented groups, including women, girls, ethnic minorities, and disabled individuals.
The funding will be distributed during the 2025/26 period, with allocations of £82.3 million for England, £8.6 million for Scotland, £6.1 million for Wales, and £3 million for Northern Ireland. The investment is expected to support the development of new and improved pitches, changing rooms, goalposts, and floodlights. At least 40% of the funded projects will offer multi-sport facilities to encourage broader community engagement.
This initiative is part of the Government's 'Plan for Change', aiming to break down barriers to opportunity and address persistent health inequalities through preventive measures. The upgraded facilities are intended to foster community cohesion, provide young people with opportunities to develop essential skills, and instil a sense of pride in local areas.
The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund offers grants and bursaries ranging from £5,000 to £30,000 to support research, educational endeavours, and community projects. The overarching goal is to enhance road infrastructure in terms of design, engineering, and aesthetics while also improving the overall experience of road users.
Funding is available for a variety of activities, including courses leading to qualifications in traffic engineering and transport planning, research initiatives, and programs aimed at enhancing the highway network and the roadside environment, such as the development of roadside parks and open spaces.
Individuals considering applying to the Fund are advised to initiate the process by contacting the Secretary at secretary@reesjeffreys.co.uk. This initial contact should include a brief overview of the proposed project and the desired level of funding. Applicants will receive further information and an application form upon registration of their interest.
Current deadline: 11th April 2025.
To read more: Home - Rees Jeffreys Road Fund
Alec Dickson Trust
Grants of up to £500 are available to individuals or groups of young people aged 30 or under who aim to make a difference through volunteering or community service.
The Alec Dickson Trust prioritises projects involving many volunteers, addresses the specific needs of disadvantaged communities and individuals, and is innovative and sustainable.
The Trust is looking for projects that identify a specific need and propose to carry out activities that will clearly help to address this need and are long-lasting and sustainable as possible.
Current deadline: 4th April 2025.
To read more: Alec Dickson Trust
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Not-for-profit organisations across the UK can now apply for grants of between £250,000 and £10 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for projects connecting people and communities to UK heritage.
The funding can be used to support a broad range of activities and project costs, such as:
Volunteer expenses, new staff posts and training costs
Capital works, repair, maintenance and conservation
Professional fees, event costs and activities to strengthen organisations
Acquisition of heritage and costs associated with the purchase
Costs to join Fit for the Future, a UK-wide environmental sustainability network
Projects must take into account the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s four investment principles:
Saving heritage
Protecting the environment
Inclusion, access and participation
Organisational sustainability
Partnerships are encouraged.
Up to 10% match funding is required.
Current deadline: 28th May 2025
To read more: National Lottery Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million | The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Co-operatives UK's Community Shares Booster Fund
The Community Shares Booster Fund has extended its offer of flexible funding, thanks to a top‑up of support from Access – the Foundation for Social Investment. This will enable the fund to continue supporting the community shares market throughout 2025 and beyond.
Of the £560,000 added to the fund:
£200,000 will be allocated to development grants through Co-operatives UK
£360,000 will be available for matched equity investments for community share offers through Co‑operative and Community Finance and their investment partner Community Shares ICOF
Development grants provide vital funding for organisations to prepare and launch a share offer, while matched equity incentivises others to invest by providing an institutional investment that builds trust and confidence in share offers.
To read more: Apply to the Booster Fund | Co-operatives UK
Our past Funding Bulletins will also have grant opportunities that are still open!
Need support applying to any of the above? Get in touch with us at info@wcvs.org.uk to access bespoke advice and one-to-one support with grant funding.
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